Pastrana Attempts Rally Car Jump Record

On New Year’s Eve, Travis Pastrana will “test the laws of physics” and get airborne in a Subaru Impreza STI for Red Bull’s annual New Year’s event, “Red Bull: New Year. No Limits.” The goal is to break the 171-foot world record for the longest distance jump in a rally car.

Mr. Pastrana, a four-time champion in the Rally America series, expects to take off from a ramp on the Pine Street Pier in Long Beach, Calif., and travel 40 to 50 feet above the water, landing on a floating barge in Rainbow Harbor. If he falls short, according to a Red Bull spokesman, Jordan Miller, waterborne rescue crews will be standing by.

Mr. Pastrana, 26, said in a phone interview that the approximately 250-foot jump turned out to be “a lot bigger than it looked when I drew it up on a napkin.” His motivation, he said, is topping previous “No Limits” stunts (the event is in its third year). Mr. Pastrana said he also considered jumping into a stadium and hopping over a freeway. He crashed one of the rally cars during testing, but he remains upbeat. “The car disintegrated, but I’m doing O.K.,” he said.

Mr. Pastrana, a former motocross and supercross phenom, said his passion remains racing. And he asserted that the jump, which will put a fleet of Subarus through extreme testing, “is helping progress rallying as a sport.” The jump car has had $250,000 in modifications, adding horsepower, a stiffer suspension and a roll cage. But Mr. Pastrana said the car is still “street legal.”

Red Bull and ESPN, which will televise the event live, are presumably getting what they wanted: not rally research, but an entertainment spectacular, albeit one that will last only a few seconds.

“Red Bull: New Year. No Limits” will be presented by ESPN and ESPNHD on Dec. 31 at 11 p.m.

What's Next

About

A team of New York Times contributors blogs about news, trends and all things automotive. Check back for insight, photos, reviews of cars and more. And remember to join the conversation — you can comment on the cars, offer your own reviews, and post questions in our reader comment area.

Archive

Recent Posts

The regular features of this blog, including Monday Motorsports, the Wheelies news briefs and reports on auto industry developments including vehicle recalls and technology updates, can now be found on the Automobiles Web page.Read more…

General Motors hasn’t offered a diesel passenger car since the diesel-powered Chevette chugged unceremoniously into its lineup in 1986. But the company is back with its efficient Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel.Read more…